UBUSHINJACYAHA v UMUHIRE N’ABANDI

UBUSHINJACYAHA v UMUHIRE N’ABANDI

The Court found that the combination of the victim's consistent testimony, corroboration by the teacher, the accused's admissions of being present at the scene, and the investigative findings regarding the location and circumstances were sufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The medical report did not...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RPAA 00199/2025/CA
Parties
Prosecution: Ubushinjacyaha; Appellant: Umuhire Udahemuka Régis; Appellant: Habumugisha Egide
Court
Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
30 October 2025
Case Number
RPAA 00199/2025/CA
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment (court of Appeal)
Outcome
Appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.
Legal Topics
Defilement of a Minor, Admissibility of Evidence, Standard of Proof in Criminal Cases, Weight of Victim Testimony, Appeals Process
Source Language
rw
Criminal Law Evidence Law Child Protection Defilement of a Minor Admissibility of Evidence Standard of Proof in Criminal Cases Weight of Victim Testimony Appeals Process

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 9 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 1
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Ubushinjacyaha

Prosecution

Umuhire Udahemuka Régis

Appellant

Habumugisha Egide

Appellant

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Final Appellate Judgment (court of Appeal)

  1. 1 Whether the evidence relied upon was sufficient to convict Umuhire Udahemuka Régis and Habumugisha Egide of defilement of a minor

Ratio Decidendi

The Court found that the combination of the victim's consistent testimony, corroboration by the teacher, the accused's admissions of being present at the scene, and the investigative findings regarding the location and circumstances were sufficient to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The medical report did not exonerate the accused, and subsequent recantations by the victim and her mother were not credible. The principle of free evaluation of evidence in criminal matters applies, and the evidence as a whole was sufficient to uphold the convictions.

Court Disposition

Appeal dismissed; conviction and sentence affirmed.

Orders

  • The appeal of Umuhire Udahemuka Régis and Habumugisha Egide is dismissed as unfounded.
  • The High Court judgment No. RPA 01209/2022/HC/KIG of 30/01/2025 is affirmed in all respects.